Insights
In a significant ruling clarifying the legal distinction between regular public employment and contractual engagement through intermediaries, the Supreme Court of India has held that workers hired through third-party contractors cannot claim equal status or employment benefits at par with regular government employees.
In a significant ruling with wide-ranging implications for industries using heavy machinery, the Supreme Court of India has recently held that Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM) such as Excavators, Dumpers, Loaders, Dozers, Surface Miners, and Rock Breakers, when used exclusively within the factories or enclosed industrial premises, do not qualify as “motor vehicles” under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Consequently, such machinery is not liable to road tax.
The growing menace of stray dogs in Indian cities has once again come under sharp judicial scrutiny. In a suo motu writ petition titled “City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price”, the Supreme Court of India is examining the conflict between public safety concerns especially in sensitive institutional spaces and animal welfare obligations under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.
In a significant ruling given by Supreme Court on Wednesday 07th of January 2026, reaffirming the strict contours of Limitation Law, the Court has held that the power to condone delay under the Limitation Act, 1963 lies exclusively with courts and not with tribunals or quasi-judicial bodies, unless such power is expressly conferred by statute. The judgement clarifies the legal position on whether authorities like the Company Law Board (CLB) could invoke Section 5 of the Limitation Act, 1963 to excuse delayed filings.
In a significant development touching upon aviation safety, regulatory powers, and administrative discretion, the Madras High Court has sought a categorical clarification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on whether it intends to extend the exemption granted to Inter Globe Aviation Limited, the operator of IndiGo Airlines, from complying with certain pilot fatigue management norms.
In a significant step towards strengthening institutional accountability and workplace safety within the justice delivery system, the Supreme Court of India has sought comprehensive status reports from various High Courts regarding the constitution and functioning of Gender Sensitisation Committees and Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs). These bodies are mandated to address complaints of sexual harassment against women and transgender persons across courts, tribunals, and Bar Associations.
The Supreme Court of India, in a significant ruling delivered on January 5, has categorically held that delay in trial cannot be treated as a ‘trump card’ for the automatic grant of bail in cases under the Unlawful (Activities) Prevention Act, 1967 (UAPA).
In a significant ruling clarifying the scope and effect of remand orders, the Supreme Court of India has held that when a matter is remanded for fresh consideration, the adjudicating authority is not irrevocably bound by observations in the remand order if the issue itself was not finally decided. Instead, the authority must apply the binding law as it stands on the date of decision.
